Cocoa-barb cutter and drier.



No. 789,151. PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

D. GORDON. 0000A BARB CUTTER AND DRIER.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 26, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M WW J21 ATTORNEYS PATENTED MAY 9, 1905. 7

7 D. GORDON.

COCOA BARB CUTTER AND DRIER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1904.

M %M BY ATTORNEYS WITNIESSE s:

UNTTED STATES Patented May 9, 1905.

PATENT EEioE.

DOUGLAS GORDON, OF VVOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MARCUS MASON &COMPANY, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

COCOA-BARB CUTTER AND DRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,151, dated May 9,1905.

Application filed July 26, 1904. Serial No. 218,217.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, DOUGLAS GORDON, a subject of the Crown of'GreatBritain, and a resident of Worcester, county of Worcester, State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCocoa-Barb Outters and Driers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings,forminga part thereof.

My invention relates to certain improved apparatus for treating cocoa,and particularly to apparatus for cleaning and drying the beans and forcollecting and drying the barb or gum thereof.

Cocoa-beans before being treated are covered with a gummy substancetechnically known in the trade as the barb; and one of the main objectsof this present apparatus is to effectively and cheaply collect and drythis gum. The operation is known in the trade as cutting the barb.

Other objects of my present invention are to cheaply and eflicientlyclean, dry, and polish the beans.

To these ends my invention consists in a rotatable drum or holderprovided with suitable scrapers and gum-collecting means and withsuitable means for passing dry air over and between the beans, and incertain novel details of construction and combination of parts, as willhereinafter be more fully pointed out.

I will now proceed to describe a cocoa-drier and barb-cutter embodyingmy invention and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of a machineembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite end ofthe machine. Fig. 3 is a view in central transverse vertical sectionthrough the machine. Fig. 4 is a view in partial side elevation andpartial central vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 5 is adetail view in central longitudinal section of a bearing member and aretaining-ring segment employed. Fig. 6 is a view in transverse sectiontherethrough. Fig. 7 is a view in transverse section through one of thepaddle-blades employed.

The machine as a whole comprises a stationary bed and frame, includingend plates, and a revolving cylinder or barrel mounted between the saidend plates, said end plates forming stationary heads for the saidrevolving cylinder.

In the present embodiment of my invention the end plates comprise each acast frame 1, made in two portions bolted together at 2, and a disk-likehead or disk 3 secured thereto. These end plates are securely fastenedto a stationary bed 4: and form rigid supporting members for the entiremachine. A central tube or pipe 5 is rotatably mounted in suitablebearings 6 6, carried by the end plates, and a sprocket-wheel 7 issecured fast upon the said tube or pipe, as shown, and by which the saidtube or pipe may be driven. Radial arms 8 are also carried by said tubeor shaft intermediate its ends, there being several sets of the saidarms arranged at ninety degrees with respect to each other. There arefour sets of these arms shown herein, each set comprising four blades,and it will be noted by reference to Fig. 7 that the said arms arepreferably wedge-shaped, being abouthalf as thick as they are wide attheir forward edges and tapering to a sharp point at their rear edges.

The revolving cylinder or barrel (here designated as a whole by thereference character 9) is preferably faced on the interior with somematerial which will resist the acid in the material to be treated. Inthe present construction I have shown a metal sheathing lined with wood;but the interior may be galvanized iron, aluminium, or otheracid-resisting material, or the whole cylinder or barrel may be made ofwooden staves secured and bound together by metal hoops. This cylinderhas one or more movable hinged portions 21, which constitute doors forcharging or discharging same. The cylinder is supported by two pairs ofrollers 10, which en-' gage circular tracks 11 upon the cylinder,

as shown. A gear-ring 12 is mounted exteriorly of the said cylinder,said gear-ring engaged by one or more pinions 13 for the purpose ofimparting rotary movement to the cylinder. The ends of the cylinder 9are carefully fitted to the end disks 3 by a runningjoint, as follows:Screwed or otherwise attached to the end disks are rings 14, preferablymade in a number of sections, such rings having overhanging portions ortongues 15. Loose bearing-pieces 16 are then inserted between each ofthe rings 14 and the inner face of the revolving cylinder, suchbearing-pieces having recesses or grooves 17 for receiving theoverhanging portions or tongues of the rings 14, the bearing-pieces 16forming when placed together end to end ring-like structures surroundingthe rings 14. Each bearing-piece 16 carries a flat steel spring 18,which tends to press the bearing-pieces 16 away from the rings 14 andkeep them up to the interior face of the revolving cylinder. Thesectional portions of the ring 14 and the bearing-pieces 16 haveinterlocking projections and recesses 19 and 20 for preventing thebearing-pieces 16 from revolving with the cylinder 9. This form of jointforms an effect ive packing between the revolving cylinder andstationary end disks, while it will give and take sufficiently toprevent binding of the parts or the generation of undue friction.

At about the highest point within the cylinder and in close proximitythereto is arranged a scraper 22, the said scraper being rotatablymounted in the end frames 1, the pivots 23 therefor extending to theexterior of the machine and provided with arms or levers 24, to whichsprings 25 are attached. Threaded stems 26 and wing-nuts 27 form meansfor adjusting the tension of said springs 25. Another scraper, 28, islocated within the cylinder at a point just in advance of the scraper22, the edges of the scraper 28 being preferably set in closer proximityto the interior of the cylinder than is the scraper 22, in practice thescraper 28 being set in actual contact therewith, while the scraper 22is just out of actual contact. ,The form of the scraper 28 is such as tonot only constitute a scraper for the material collected on the inneredge of the cylinder, butalso a scraper for the said material. Inpractice the scraper proper is formed of a piece of bent sheet metal, asshown, which piece of bent sheet metal is secured by rivets or otherwiseto an arm or arms 29, having pivot-pins 30 mounted in the end frames 1and passing through to the exterior thereof. Arms 31 are secured to thesaid pivot-pins 30, and springs 32, connected thereto and adj usted inlike manner as are the springs 25, constitute means for holding thescraper under spring tension up to the interior face of the cylinder.

, Located within the cylinder, near the upper end thereof, and supportedby the end frames 1 is a perforated inlet-pipe 33, and a perforateddischarge-pipe 34 is also provided, the same being located within thecylinder at a point somewhat lower than the perforated inlet-pipe 33,said pipe 34 being also supported and carried by the end frames 1. Asteampipe 35 passes clear through the inlet air-pipe 33, entering at oneend thereof and passing out at the-other end, at which latter end saidsteam-pipe connects with a branch 36, leading down to the interior ofthe central revolving tube or pipe 5. The end or cap 37 of the tube orpipe 5, through which the branch 36 enters, is stationary, a suitablestuffing-box 38 being provided between the said stationary head or endand the revolving pipe. A drain-pipe is provided for carrying away theexhauststeam and waters of condensation therefrom. The end disks 3,which, like the cylinder 9, are preferably of wood or lined with wood orother acid-resisting material, are each provided with windows 39,through which the operation of the machine may be viewed and which arealso preferably hinged, so that ac cess may be obtained therethrough tothe interior of the cylinder. The end disks are also preferably providedwith a perforated portion 40 and with a slide or door 41 for closing-thesaid perforations when desired.

The drive of the machine herein illustrated is as follows: A drive-shaft42 is journaled in stationary bearings on the bed-plate of the machineand is provided with fast and loose drivepulleys 43. A pinion 44 uponthe said shaft meshes with a spur-gear 45, mounted upon a shaft 46,which carries the drive-pinion 13 for the revolving cylinder or barrel.A similar pinion 47, mounted upon a shaft 48, meshes with the gear-ring12 upon the opposite side of the machine, said shaft also carryinganother pinion, 49, which meshes with a small spur-gear 50, mounted upona shaft 51, journaled in stationary bearings upon the main frame of themachine. The shaft 51 carries a sprocket-gear 52, and a sprocket-chain53 connects the sprocket-wheel 52 with the drivesprocket 7 upon thecentral tube or pipe 5.

The machine is operated as follows: The cylinder or barrel is chargedwith a quantity of cocoa-beans or the like to be treated, the same beingadmitted through a charging-door 21. Steam is admitted to the pipe 35and hot air to the perforated pipe 33. Power will then be applied to theshaft at 42 to revolve the cylinder or barrel in the direction of thearrow, Fig. 3, and also to revolve the central tube or pipe 5 andpaddle-blades carried thereby. The ratio of gearing is preferably suchas to cause the pipe and paddle-blades to revolve in the same directionas the cylinder or barrel and at the same rate of speed; but such ratiomay be varied as desired. The revolution of the cylinder andpaddle-blade will cause the upper surface of the mass within the same toassume a planesubstantially as shown by the dotted line 54: in Fig. 3and will tumble the beans one upon another, constantly changing theirrelative positions within the cylinder. The inner face of the revolvingcylinder or barrel will collect the barb or gum from the beans, and thisbarb or gum will be'carried along up beyond the surface of the beans andpast the scraper 22 to the scraper 28. The scraper 22 is preferably atsuch a distance from the inner surface of the cylinder as to removepractically no gum therefrom at all; but it will throw down into themass beneath any beans or portions thereof which may accidentally becarried up with the gum. A thin film of gum only will then pass from thescraper 22 to the scraper 28. The scraper 28 is arranged to remove andcollect this barb or gum, which barb or gum may be removed at statedintervals, or the combined scraper and collector may be removed with thegum therein and'a new scraper substituted therefor. The operation may bewatched through the end windows 39. The interior surface of the cylinderfrom the point of contact of the scraper 28 to the lower end of theplane 54 will be substantially clean, and this surface will be subjectedto a hot blast from the peforated pipe 33. This surface will again enterthe mass of cocoa, and the tumbling of the beans causing fresh surfacesto be brought against the inner surface of the cylinder more gum will becollected and finally delivered in a continuous operation. Theperforated pipe 34 acts as a discharge for the moist air, va-

pors, &c., from the interior of the cylinder.

The central tube or pipe is steam-heated, and the pipe which admitssteam thereto, passing, it as it does, through the perforated air-inletpipe 33, will serve to still further heat the air therein. Vaters ofcondensation from the steam will be carried away through the drain-pipe55. Exhausting apparatus may be connected with the pipe 34, if desired,and a blower may be connected with the pipe 33 to force air therein.

The peculiar formation of the wedge-shaped paddles-z1 a, with theirfront faces broad and tapering rearwardtend to assist in the tumblingaction of the mass of cocoa, while should the mass, ordinarily held atan incline, tend to fall back this movement backward will be resistedbut little, owing the sharp rear edges of the paddle-blades, againstwhich the beans will fall. I have shown and described the paddle-bladesas revolving at the same speed with the cylinder; but any desiredrelationship of movement between the paddle-blades and the cylinderwould be within the scope of my invention.

In first starting up the machine it may be found desirable to admit airat a point below the mass of the beans, so that the air will passthrough same instead of, or as well as, admitting it through theperforated pipe 33 above the mass of the beans, and for this purpose Ihave perforated certain portions .of the end disks 3, as at 40, at thelower part thereof and provided doors 41, by which admission of airtherethrough may be controlled.

Continued operation of the machine will first clean the beans, cuttingthe barb thereof and collecting same, will dry the beans, and willfinally polish the surface thereof by the tumbling action, giving them aplump, round, and glossy appearance.

It will be obvious that the foregoing is but one embodiment of myinvention and that the same is capable of many and varied modificationswithin the spirit and scope of my invention and, further, that certainparts may be employed in connection with other parts of difierentconstruction. Hence I do not desire to be limited only to the precisedetails of construction and combination of parts herein.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus of the class described. thecombination with stationary end heads, of a revolving cylinder,revolving paddle-blades arranged to rotate concentrically thereof, and ascraper for the interior surface of the cylinder, substantially as setforth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withastationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a loose bearingringbetween the said stationary end head and revolving cylinder.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a loose segmentalbearing-ring between the said stationary end head and revolvingcylinder.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a loose bearingringmounted between the said end head and the revolving cylinder, saidbearing-ring held against relative rotary movement with one of the saidparts, and spring-pressed against the other said part.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a loose segmentalbearing-ring mounted between the said end head and the revolvingcylinder, said bearingring held against relative rotary movement withone of the said parts, and spring-pressed against the other said part.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a retaining-ringsecured to said end head, and a loose bearingring engaged by saidretaining-ring and held against rotation thereby, said bearing-ringspring-pressed against the interior surface of said cylinder.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a retaining-ring IIOsecured to said end head, a segmental bearingring engaged by saidretaining-ring, said retaining-ring and segmental bearing-ring havinginterlocking shoulders for preventing relative rotation thereof, each ofthe segments of said segmental bearing-ring provided with a springtending to press the same outward.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads and a revolving cylinder, of revolvingpaddle-blades mounted within the cylinder, said paddle-blades comprisingradial arms wedgeshaped in cross-section, and arranged with their basesfacing the direction of rotation of the cylinder.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads and a revolving cylinder,of a shaft rotatabl ymounted in said stationary end heads, radial paddleblades carried bysaid shaft Within said cylinder, said radial blades wedge-shaped incrosssection, and means for revolving said shaft in the same directionas said cylinder, the wedgeshaped paddle blades being arranged withtheir bases facing in the direction of rotation thereof.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads, of a cylinder fitted to said end heads andprovided with running-joints including radiallyfree, spring-pressedbearing-rings between them, said cylinder provided with circular tracksand a peripheral gear-ring, rollers engaging said circular tracks andsupporting said cylinder, and a gear-wheel engaging said peripheralgear-ring, by which said cylinder may be revolved.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads and a revolving cylinder, of two scrapers supportedby said heads within said cylinder, one of said scrapers set inproximity to but out of contact with the interior surface of thecylinder, and the other of said scrapers arranged to engage the innerface of said cylinder and constituting a collector for the materialscraped from the interior surface of the cylinder, substantially asshown and described.

12. In an apparatus of the class described,

. the combination with stationary end heads and a revolving cylinder, ofa scraper set in close proximity to the interior of the cylinder, butout of actual contact therewith, a barb cutter and scraper engaging theinner periphery of the cylinder, and adjustable springs therefor,substantially as set forth.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with arevolving cylinder, and revolving paddle-blades concentrically arrangedtherein, of a scraper for the interior surface of the cylinder, aperforated inlet-pipe for introducing heated air, and a perforateddischarge-pipe, substantially as set forth.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with astationary end head and a revolving cylinder, of a hollow revolubleshaft mounted therein, paddle-blades carried by said shaft, a perforatedinlet-pipe at the upper end of said cylinder, a perforateddischarge-pipe discharging from said cylinder, and a steam-pipe passingthrough said perforated inlet-pipe and connecting with said revolublehollow shaft.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads and a revoluble cylinder, of a hollow shaft mountedconcentrically in said end heads, radial paddle-blades carried by saidhollow shaft within said cylinder, a combined scraper and barbcollectorsupported by the end heads within the cylinder and arranged to engagethe interior face thereof, a perforated inlet-pipe supported by the endheads within the cylinder near the said scraper and barb-collector, anda perforated discharge-pipe, also supported by the end heads and locatedwithin the cylinder beneath the said perforated inlet-pipe.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination withstationary end heads and a revolving cylinder, of an air-inlet arrangednear the lower end of the said end heads, means for controllingadmission of air therethrough, means for carrying air away from theupper end of the cylinder, and a scraper for the interior of thecylinder, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of July,1904:.-

DOUGLAS GORDON.

IVitnesses:

D. HOWARD HAYWOOD, O. L. HALL.

